NOTICES AND ORDERS OF THE DAY

Items marked  are expected to be taken during the dinner adjournment.

THURSDAY 8TH MAY

[At eleven oclock]

ROYAL ASSENT

Courts Bill [HL]Report [The Lord Chancellor]

[At two oclock

Judgments]

At three oclock

*The Baroness Gardner of ParkesTo ask Her Majestys Government what provision will be made under the proposed new general practitioner contract to ensure continuance of general practitioner health centre practices on university campuses.

*The Lord ReaTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps are being taken to recover the antiquities looted from Iraqs museums after they came under coalition control.

*The Lord QuirkTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to reduce waiting times for access to speech and language therapy.

*The Lord Howell of GuildfordTo ask Her Majestys Government how the new proposals for a core European defence entity, as announced by France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, relate to the St Malo accord between the United Kingdom and France.

[It is expected that the Report stage of the Courts Bill will continue]

The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures are being taken to remove all barriers to literature for those who have difficulties accessing books in traditional print formats.

FRIDAY 9TH MAY

[At eleven oclock]

Equality Bill [HL]Third Reading [The Lord Lester of Herne Hill]

The Lord GrenfellTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the Review of Scrutiny of European Legislation (First Report, HL Paper 15).

MONDAY 12TH MAY

*The Lord EzraTo ask Her Majestys Government when the English House Condition Survey for 2001 is to be published.

*The Lord Clinton-DavisTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have had any discussions with the sugar industries concerning guidelines on healthy eating.

*The Lord Astor of HeverTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps are being taken to help secure food and medical supplies stored in Iraq.

*The Baroness RawlingsTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to improve the water supply to rural areas of Iraq.

Railways and Transport Safety BillThe Lord McIntosh of Haringey to move, That it be an instruction to the Grand Committee to which the Railways and Transport Safety Bill has been committed that they consider the bill in the following order:

European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Arab Republic of Egypt) Order 2003The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 28th April be approved. [18th Report from the Joint Committee]

European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Members States and the Republic of Chile) Order 2003The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 28th April be approved. [18th Report from the Joint Committee]

[It is expected that the Report stage of the Courts Bill will conclude]

TUESDAY 13TH MAY

*The Baroness GreengrossTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to ensure that the terms of United Nations resolution 1325 for broad participation of women in peace-building and post-conflict Iraq are being met.

*The Lord Lamont of LerwickTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will set up a judicial inquiry on the facts revealed in the Stevens Report on the role of British officials in the murder in Northern Ireland of Roman Catholics by Protestant paramilitaries.

*The Lord GoodhartTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect that the terms of the United Kingdom-United States extradition treaty will be published.

*The Baroness BlatchTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress is being made on the investigation into Individual Learning Accounts.

Sexual Offences Bill [HL]House to be again in Committee [The Lord Falconer of Thoroton]

WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY

*The Lord Brooke of Sutton MandevilleTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect the next triennial review of the threshold figures under Council Regulation (EEC) No 3911/92 on the export of cultural goods from member states of the European Union.

*The Viscount WaverleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures are being taken to strengthen the United Kingdoms relationship with Kazakhstan.

*The Lord Renton of Mount HarryTo ask Her Majestys Government when they propose to allow civil servants from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to attend hunt meets.

The Baroness Williams of CrosbyTo call attention to the case for reconstructing the international order and transforming international political institutions; and to move for papers.

Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Health Service Bodies) Order 2003The Lord McIntosh of Haringey to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 2nd April be approved. [17th Report from the Joint Committee]

Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2003The Lord McIntosh of Haringey to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 3rd April be approved. [17th Report from the Joint Committee]

Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Rights of Access of Comptroller and Auditor General) Order 2003The Lord McIntosh of Haringey to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 3rd April be approved. [17th Report from the Joint Committee]

THURSDAY 15TH MAY

[At eleven oclock]

Communications BillHouse to be again in Committee [The Baroness Blackstone]

At three oclock

*The Lord KimballTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made over the compensation payment to fur farmers.

*The Lord Dormand of EasingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any proposals to change the regulations so as to permit unqualified classroom assistants to teach in schools.

*The Lord Ashley of StokeTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they intend to implement the proposals for law reform suggested by the Disability Rights Commission.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Communications Bill will continue]

The Baroness HooperTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they intend to review the implications of taxation on the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of the United Kingdom.

FRIDAY 16TH MAY

[At eleven oclock]

The Lord JoplingTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on EU Russia Relations (3rd Report, HL Paper 29).

Harbours Bill [HL]Third Reading [The Lord Berkeley]

MONDAY 19TH MAY

*The Lord Hunt of ChestertonTo ask Her Majestys Government what lessons they are pressing upon the United Nations, its agencies and its member countries about greater collaboration in monitoring international health and security dangers, including improved verification and exchange of information.

*The Lord Mackie of BenshieTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the break-up of Milk Marque is in line with their policy of encouraging cooperation in the farming community.

*The Baroness Turner of CamdenTo ask Her Majestys Government whether action will be taken to ensure that civilian casualties of the conflict in Iraq are compensated for injuries and loss.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Sexual Offences Bill will conclude]

TUESDAY 20TH MAY

*The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, taking into account the priorities identified by the Royal Society and the United Nations Environment Programme, the issues surrounding spent depleted uranium ordnance are being addressed.

*The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is still their intention that the national register, required by section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, should be operational in the summer of 2004.

*The Lord Monro of LangholmTo ask Her Majestys Government how many school playing fields have been sold in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 respectively; and what percentage of applications that represents in each year.

*The Lord Vincent of ColeshillTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they propose to take to improve the Armed Forces Pension Scheme with respect to the Death in Service Benefit paid to the spouses of those killed in action.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Communications Bill will continue]

WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY

*The Lord Lloyd-WebberTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the funds from the Standards Fund For Music are being administered for the purposes for which they were intended.

*The Earl of SandwichTo ask Her Majestys Government how they are celebrating the life and achievement of Samuel Pepys on the tercentenary of his death on 26th May 1703.

*The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress they have made towards defining the role of the United Nations in the reconstruction and political rehabilitation of Iraq.

The Lord Lea of CrondallTo call attention to progress towards the development of mutual accountability with African countries under the aegis of NEPAD (the New Partnership for Africas Development) prior to the G8 summit at Evian; and to move for papers. [Balloted debate]

The Lord Rodgers of Quarry BankTo call attention to the relationship between the judiciary, the legislature and the executive, and to judicial participation in public controversy; and to move for papers. [Balloted debate]

Clergy Discipline MeasureThe Lord Bishop of Winchester to move, That, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Clergy Discipline Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.

Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2003The Lord Trefgarne to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Order, laid before the House on 1st April, be annulled (S.I. 2003/777).

THURSDAY 22ND MAY

[At eleven oclock]

*The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to recent developments in Sudan, in the light of reports of continuing military attacks on civilians by the government forces in violation of the Peace Agreement.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Communications Bill will continue]

MONDAY 2ND JUNE

*The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they foresee a peacekeeping or other role for NATO in Iraq.

TUESDAY 3RD JUNE

The Baroness Harris of RichmondTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of the Report of the European Union Committee on Europols Role in Fighting Crime (5th Report, HL Paper 43), what steps they are taking within the European Union to ensure that the Europol Convention is amended to ensure that Europol has the tools to operate effectively and is properly accountable, particularly to national parliaments.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Communications Bill will continue]

WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE

[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Local Government Bill will continue at 3.30pm in the Moses Room]

THURSDAY 5TH JUNE

[At eleven oclock]

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Communications Bill will conclude]

At three oclock

Water Bill [HL]Report [The Lord Whitty]

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what they intend to do to address the social deprivation of Gypsies and travellers.

[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Railways and Transport Safety Bill will continue at 3.45pm in the Moses Room]

FRIDAY 6TH JUNE

[At eleven oclock]

Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill [HL]Second Reading [The Lord Joffe]

The Earl of SelborneTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Mid-Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy: External Implications (10th Report, HL Paper 62).

WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE

The Lord PalmerTo call attention to the situation in the British countryside; and to move for papers.

The Lord CobboldTo call attention to the long term effectiveness of current national and international polices on drugs; and to move for papers.

NO DAY NAMED

PART I

The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government what proposals they have for the future ownership and control of postal addressing.

The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their policies when faced with overwhelming humanitarian crises and massive violations of human rights in other countries.

The Lord MoynihanTo call attention to the state of the United Kingdoms relations with Cuba; and to move for papers.

The Lord PalmerTo call attention to the situation in the British countryside; and to move for papers.

The Lord BradshawTo call attention to the trends in the number of road deaths and casualties; and to move for papers.

The Lord BerkeleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the quality and effectiveness of the United Kingdoms railways are satisfactory.

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo call attention to the state of the bus industry; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Finlay of LlandaffTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to tackle the threat that obesity poses to the health and well-being of the nation.

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo call attention to the case for the abolition of the judicial functions of the House of Lords and the creation of separate Supreme and Constitutional Courts; and to move for papers.

The Earl of OnslowTo call attention to the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles; and to move for papers.

The Lord LipseyTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to fulfil their manifesto commitment to review the experience of new electoral systems and the Jenkins Report, with a view to assessing whether changes might be made to the electoral system for the House of Commons.

The Baroness MaddockTo call attention to the effects of poor housing on the health and well-being of the nation; and to move for papers.

The Baroness GreengrossTo call attention to corporate social responsibility; and to move for papers.

The Baroness GreengrossTo call attention to womens health and the case for a lifecourse approach; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the Forum for the Future report Governments BusinessEnabling Corporate Sustainability.

The Baroness RawlingsTo ask Her Majestys Government what humanitarian assistance they have provided to people living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the last four years of civil war in that country.

The Lord Norton of LouthTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to ensure the security of the ballot in elections held by postal voting.

The Baroness WhitakerTo call attention to the developing countries in poverty which lack strong funding relationships with donor countries or international institutions; and to move for papers.

The Lord Norton of LouthTo call attention to the case for improving contact and understanding between the two Chambers of Parliament; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-FyldeTo move, That this House takes note of the Pensions Green Paper Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement.

The Lord Stoddart of SwindonTo ask Her Majestys Government how much money (a) they and (b) the European Union spend each year in the United Kingdom on information about the European Union, and how these sums of money are split between (i) schools, (ii) universities and other further educational establishments, and (iii) elsewhere.

The Lord Carlile of BerriewTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the way in which the courts deal with issues surrounding children who commit criminal offences and their families is satisfactory.

The Baroness Park of MonmouthTo ask Her Majestys Government what arrangements are in place for the reception of the United Kingdom passport holders from Zimbabwe who wish to stay in this country but have to prove they qualify for habitual residence.

The Baroness WilcoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to rising levels of personal debt and its social consequences.

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group report The Current State of Archaeology in the United Kingdom.

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they believe that the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive and the Food Supplements Directive pose a threat to the availability of natural health products currently on the United Kingdom market.

The Lord Campbell-SavoursTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration is being given to economy, efficiency and effectiveness in teacher recruitment.

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo ask Her Majestys Government what evidence links breast cancer with abortion; and what measures they are taking to alert women to any risks involved.

The Lord FearnTo call attention to the place of tourism in North West England; and to move for papers.

The Lord RoganTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any plans to introduce a tax on supermarket carrier bags.

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the review of the Electoral Commission into Absent Voting in Great Britain.

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the role of the United Nations in maintaining security and human rights in areas affected by conflicts arising from a clash between the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination.

The Viscount AstorTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider the rail ticketing arrangements at Gatwick Airport to be satisfactory.

The Baroness RawlingsTo call attention to the political situation in Brazil; and to move for papers.

The Baroness RawlingsTo call attention to the political situation in Sudan; and to move for papers.

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to tackle obesity in children.

The Lord HarrisonTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they will take to alleviate the recent rise in employers liability insurance, required for small and medium-sized enterprises by insurance companies.

The Baroness GreenfieldTo ask Her Majestys Government what mechanisms can be used to improve communication between scientists and politicians so that there is better public understanding of scientific policies.

The Lord Campbell of CroyTo call attention to the functioning and effects of the Data Protection Act 1998; and to move for papers.

The Earl of OnslowTo call attention to the method, existing since the beginning of this session of Parliament, for the replacement of hereditary peers; and to move for papers.

The Lord ReaTo call attention to the extent of drug treatment and rehabilitation services; and to move for papers.

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo call attention to the case for the revision or replacement of Planning Policy Guidance 7 in connection with sustainable homes and livelihoods in the countryside; and to move for papers.

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo call attention to the situation of the oldest people in Britain; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Warwick of UndercliffeTo call attention to research in United Kingdom universities; and to move for papers.

The Baroness HooperTo call attention to recent developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.

The Lord DubsTo call attention to preparations for the forthcoming World Trade Organisation meeting at Cancun, in the light of discussions within the European Union and the pursuit of global trade justice for the poorest countries; and to move for papers.

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their negotiating priorities with regard to the proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy mid term review.

The Baroness EllesTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they are considering in order to combat illicit trafficking in people.

The Lord Ashley of StokeTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have discussed with the Disability Rights Commission the review of the Disability Discrimination Act.

PART II

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS

[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]

The Lord Smith of CliftonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures (HL Paper 150, Session 2001-02). [24th July 2002]

The Lord Scott of FoscoteTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on The Future Status of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (6th Report, HL Paper 48). [4th February]

The Lord PestonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs on Globalisation (First Report, HL Paper 5-I). [17th January]

The Lord PestonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs on The MPC and Recent Developments in Monetary Policy (2nd Report, HL Paper 66). [6th March]

The Lord Norton of LouthTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on the Constitution on Devolution: Inter-Institutional Relations in the United Kingdom (2nd Report, HL Paper 28). [15th January]

The Lord RadiceTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on The Stability and Growth Pact (13th Report, HL Paper 72). [18th March]

The Baroness PrasharTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on The Case for a Human Rights Commission (6th Report, HL Paper 67). [19th March]

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, following the Report from the Select Committee on the European Union, EUEffective in a crisis? (7th Report, HL Paper 53), they are content with the current capability of the civilian aspects of the European Security and Defence Policy. [5th March]

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

[Tabled on 7th May, or unanswered after 21 days]

[The Government department responsible for

answering each Question is shown in brackets]

20th March

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the year ending 30th April 2002, what percentage of crimes notified to the police service in the policing area of Hull resulted in either a caution or a conviction; and how that compares with the average percentage for the rest of the United Kingdom. [HO] (HL2259)

26th March

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration the Department of Health has given to the Leonard Cheshire External Policy Unit report entitled A Survey of Disability Access Policies in Primary Care Trusts; and what action they will be taking on its recommendations. [DoH] (HL2306)

3rd April

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning the budgets of the Implementation Bodies, which Unionist political adviser approved the three year cut to the Language Bodys budget; when and in what form was the approval; and whether they consider that changing the budgets for three years constitutes care and maintenance as accepted by the Ulster Unionist Party in order to keep the Bodies working during the suspension of the Northern Ireland Executive. [NIO] (HL2440)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning the budgets of the Implementation Bodies, when the cuts to the Language Bodys budget were announced by the government of the Republic of Ireland; in what form was the announcement; whether the Irish Parliament was informed; and, if so, when and how. [NIO] (HL2441)

7th April

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government which Northern Ireland political party advisers have agreed to decisions of the North South Ministerial Council since the suspension of the devolved administration in Northern Ireland; on what dates; what those decisions were; and in what form they were given and recorded. [NIO] (HL2471)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the breakdown of the set-up costs of £199,072 incurred by the Special European Union Programmes Body as part of the North South implementation process. [NIO] (HL2472)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the breakdown of the set-up costs of £200,000 incurred by Waterways Ireland as part of the North South implementation process. [NIO] (HL2473)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what consultations they had with the Republic of Irelands Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs before that Department answered a written question in the Irish Parliament on 3rd December 2002 that outlined a cut of 16 per cent in the Governments contribution to the Language Implementation Body. [NIO] (HL2474)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider it appropriate that the government of the Republic of Ireland can set budgets which include contributions by the Government of the United Kingdom. [NIO] (HL2475)

8th April

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government how many Iraqi prisoners of war are now held; how many persons are in long-term detention; and whether it is intended to bring some arrested persons to court. [MoD] (HL2495)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government why there was an underspend of £10.1 million by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the year 2001-02. [NIO] (HL2503)

9th April

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government how they intend to ensure continuing quality of clinical service by the relevant professionals. [DoH] (HL2514)

10th April

The Lord ChanTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will raise with the government of China the illicit sale of babies by Chinese women reportedly attempting to avoid fines for over-quota births under Chinas one child policy. [FCO] (HL2543)

The Lord SkidelskyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will give the figures for the proportion of students entering Oxford and Cambridge universities from independent and state schools respectively every year since 1960. [DfES] (HL2549)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what sources provide a baseline for chart 5.1 of the Budget report (HC 500), showing percentage given by decile as a result of childrens measures taken by the Government; and how they determine where the deciles divide if they do not know how many people were on each income level below 40 per cent of average income. [HMT] (HL2561)

7th May

The Baroness BillinghamTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they are putting in place to identify and investigate possible post-military conflict health effects. (HL2744)

The Baroness WilkinsTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will publish the Code of Guidance entitled Sites of Specific Scientific Interest: Encouraging Positive Partnerships. (HL2745)

The Lord GregsonTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will launch the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices Global Opportunities Fund. (HL2746)

The Lord LamingTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the new contract for general practitioners refers to general practitioners responsibilities for child protection; and, if not, why not. (HL2747)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what response has been received by the Minister for the Environment, Michael Meacher, to his letter to the Chairman of the Food Standards Agency, Sir John Krebs, concerning the environmental benefits of organic farming; if no reply has yet been received, when one is expected; and whether they will place a copy in the Libraries of both Houses. (HL2748)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to

(a) the call by the British Medical Association in Scotland for trials of genetically modified crops to be stopped immediately to safeguard public health; and

(b) the move by Devon and Lancashire County Councils and three other local authorities to restrict genetically modified foods and crops. (HL2749)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have detected any shortcomings in the quantity and effectiveness of humanitarian relief to Iraq; what action they are taking to put right any such shortcomings; and what they are doing to ensure that the occupying powers are fulfilling their humanitarian obligations. (HL2750)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to ensure that any new United Nations resolution on Iraq ensures the return of Dr Blix and United Nations inspectors to play a full part in the location, destruction and eradication of manufacturing potential of and for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. (HL2751)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the latest estimates to date of the number of

(a) civilians killed;

(b) civilians wounded;

(c) Iraqi service people killed;

(d) Iraqi service people wounded;

(e) coalition service people killed; and

(f) coalition service people wounded

as a result of military action since the beginning of the most recent war in Iraq. (HL2752)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the latest estimates of the financial cost to the United Kingdom of the most recent war in Iraq; and what are the latest estimates of the financial resources so far specifically earmarked by the United Kingdom for humanitarian relief, reconstruction and political rehabilitation of Iraq. (HL2753)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they accept the methodology employed by the World Bank to calculate how many of the worlds people are living below the poverty line; what independent studies they have made of the advantages and disadvantages of (a) the sick and (b) the poor in developing countries where neo liberal policies including privatisation, deregulation and reductions in social spending are being given priority; and what was the conclusion of any such studies. (HL2754)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what has been the proportion of the European Unions aid budget spent on the worlds poorest countries in each of the last ten years; and what action they are taking to ensure that the eradication of poverty is given the highest priority by the European Union. (HL2755)

The Earl of Mar and KellieTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will ensure that the railway line between Lisburn and Antrim will be maintained after the withdrawal of passenger services so that it will be available for a possible circular service in the future. (HL2756)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what directions they have given the Environment Agency regarding the discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2757)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government when was the most recent discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2758)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is still their intention to impose a moratorium on the discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2759)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government how they intend to respond to the letter of 1st April from the Norwegian Minister of the Environment regarding the discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2760)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the significance of the difference between the definition of adopter in the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2822) and that in the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Administration) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2820). (HL2761)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why, given that any increases under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) (No 2) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2927) are only supposed to reflect increases in the index, the proposed increases vary between 1.7 per cent and 4 per cent. (HL2762)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why they introduced the variety of changes in fees payable under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/547). (HL2763)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why the intent specified in paragraph 2 (13) of the Patents Act 1977 (Electronic Communications) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/512) does not also apply in paragraph 2 (6). (HL2764)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government which organisation set the safety limit for thiomersal laid down in the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/835). (HL2765)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why in the Electricity (Approval of Pattern on Construction and Installation and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2139) the sum charged by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority for meter examiners is under £45 an hour while that for inspectors is £110 an hour. (HL2766)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th April (HL2098) concerning budgets for Cross Border Implementation Bodies, why are sterling pounds referred to as GBPs and not UKPs. (HL2767)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning Cross Border Implementation Bodies, on what date the budget for 2003 was agreed between the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and its counterpart in the Republic of Irelands government; on what date the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure was informed; when the cut was announced; in what form was the announcement; and in what way did it observe the policy of transparency. (HL2768)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the approved minutes of the Ulster Scots Agency, part of the Language Implementation Body, are received by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; and, if so, for what purpose they are used. (HL2769)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made in the provision of pensions for staff of the Cross Border Implementation Bodies. (HL2770)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government who are the political advisers to the North South Ministerial Council. (HL2771)

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government how many life support ventilators are currently available for operation in each of the private and public sectors; how many trained staff are estimated to be available to operate them; what estimated percentage of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome sufferers need to be put on ventilators; and how many beds are estimated to exist in United Kingdom hospitals which would be suitable for patients with SARS where suitable isolation could be provided. (HL2772)

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, since ten out of the 17 Questions for Written Answer which have failed to receive an answer after three weeks fall to be answered by the Northern Ireland Office, Ministers in that Department will arrange special training for the officials concerned at the Civil Service College; and whether parliamentary guidelines that answers are expected to be given within two weeks will be respected in future. (HL2773)

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 24th September 2002 (WA 191), why no letter has been received by either Lord Jopling or the Library of the House; when that answer will be provided; and whether the Ministry of Defence still adheres to the guidelines that all Questions for Written Answer should be dealt with within two weeks. (HL2774)

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER AWAITING ANSWER

7th MAY 2003

[Tabled on the dates shown]

[The Government department responsible for

answering each Question is shown in brackets]

20th March

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the year ending 30th April 2002, what percentage of crimes notified to the police service in the policing area of Hull resulted in either a caution or a conviction; and how that compares with the average percentage for the rest of the United Kingdom. [HO] (HL2259)

26th March

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration the Department of Health has given to the Leonard Cheshire External Policy Unit report entitled A Survey of Disability Access Policies in Primary Care Trusts; and what action they will be taking on its recommendations. [DoH] (HL2306)

3rd April

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning the budgets of the Implementation Bodies, which Unionist political adviser approved the three year cut to the Language Bodys budget; when and in what form was the approval; and whether they consider that changing the budgets for three years constitutes care and maintenance as accepted by the Ulster Unionist Party in order to keep the Bodies working during the suspension of the Northern Ireland Executive. [NIO] (HL2440)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning the budgets of the Implementation Bodies, when the cuts to the Language Bodys budget were announced by the government of the Republic of Ireland; in what form was the announcement; whether the Irish Parliament was informed; and, if so, when and how. [NIO] (HL2441)

7th April

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government which Northern Ireland political party advisers have agreed to decisions of the North South Ministerial Council since the suspension of the devolved administration in Northern Ireland; on what dates; what those decisions were; and in what form they were given and recorded. [NIO] (HL2471)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the breakdown of the set-up costs of £199,072 incurred by the Special European Union Programmes Body as part of the North South implementation process. [NIO] (HL2472)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the breakdown of the set-up costs of £200,000 incurred by Waterways Ireland as part of the North South implementation process. [NIO] (HL2473)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what consultations they had with the Republic of Irelands Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs before that Department answered a written question in the Irish Parliament on 3rd December 2002 that outlined a cut of 16 per cent in the Governments contribution to the Language Implementation Body. [NIO] (HL2474)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider it appropriate that the government of the Republic of Ireland can set budgets which include contributions by the Government of the United Kingdom. [NIO] (HL2475)

8th April

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government how many Iraqi prisoners of war are now held; how many persons are in long-term detention; and whether it is intended to bring some arrested persons to court. [MoD] (HL2495)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government why there was an underspend of £10.1 million by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the year 2001-02. [NIO] (HL2503)

9th April

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government how they intend to ensure continuing quality of clinical service by the relevant professionals. [DoH] (HL2514)

10th April

The Lord ChanTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will raise with the government of China the illicit sale of babies by Chinese women reportedly attempting to avoid fines for over-quota births under Chinas one child policy. [FCO] (HL2543)

The Lord SkidelskyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will give the figures for the proportion of students entering Oxford and Cambridge universities from independent and state schools respectively every year since 1960. [DfES] (HL2549)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what sources provide a baseline for chart 5.1 of the Budget report (HC 500), showing percentage given by decile as a result of childrens measures taken by the Government; and how they determine where the deciles divide if they do not know how many people were on each income level below 40 per cent of average income. [HMT] (HL2561)

28th April

The Baroness Hilton of EggardonTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect to make public the Treasury Solicitors Department Corporate Plan. [LSLO] (HL2564)

The Lord Lea of CrondallTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have for asking the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee to consider issues of

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Department of Trade and Industry will be consulting the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association about the Competition Commissions report on the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines before any further action is taken on the report. [DTI] (HL2568)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what consultation the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had with the British Veterinary Association about the professions views on the rate of spread of badgers and bovine tuberculosis; and what further action they are considering. [DEFRA] (HL2569)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are helping the government of Columbia and the parties to the conflict in that country to reach a humanitarian agreement forbidding the recruitment of children under 18 into armed units, and treating juvenile ex-combatants as victims rather than criminals; and if so, whether they are receiving support from UNICEF and the Corps Diplomatique in Bogota. [FCO] (HL2570)

The Lord Jenkin of RodingTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking following the article in Nature (Vol 421 pp 691-2) which argues that the dose response to most toxins, including ionising radiation, is hormetic, which means that the bodys response to low doses is almost always beneficial rather than harmful. [DoH] (HL2571)

The Lord Jenkin of RodingTo ask Her Majestys Government what estimates they have made of the savings that could be made in the nuclear generating industry if the current linear no-threshold model relating to ionising radiation were replaced by a threshold, hormetic, model as suggested in the article in Nature (Vol 421 pp 691-2). [DTI] (HL2572)

The Lord PattenTo ask Her Majestys Government when they intend to ratify the International Labour Organisation Seafarers Welfare Convention 163 (1987) and the International Labour Organisation Seafarers Welfare Recommendation 173 (1987). [DfT] (HL2573)

The Lord PattenTo ask Her Majestys Government why the level of development on brown field sites is 90 per cent in London and less than 40 per cent in South Western England. [DEFRA] (HL2574)

The Lord PalmerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any plans to simplify the method of form filling for a United Kingdom resident wishing to renew their passport. [HO] (HL2577)

The Lord Wedderburn of CharltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether their policy on rewards and benefits of company directors is represented by the speech of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry of 25th April supporting shareholders entirely justified fury about excessive rewards to directors who have been responsible for corporate failure; by the Welsh Secretarys view about the need to end obscene levels of takeaways as a result of losing their jobs or misdirecting their companies; or by the answer of the Lord Sainsbury of Turville accepting the view of the Lord Barnett that no legal meaning can be given to excessive and that the answer to excessive rewards for failure depends on getting the contract right in the first place (HL Deb, 11th March, cols. 1228-30). [DTI] (HL2579)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the government of Israel is offering compensation to the next of kin or personal representatives of the unarmed British citizens Thomas Hudnall, who was shot on 12th April near Gaza, and Ian Hook, United Nations employee, who was shot in October 2002 in Jenin; and whether they have received information about comparable cases of United States citizens. [FCO] (HL2580)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what decisions have been taken by the North South Ministerial Council since the suspension of the devolved administration in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2581)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Exchanges of Notes with the government of the Republic of Ireland (Treaty Series No 54 (2002) 19th November 2002) allows changes of policy by the Implementation Bodies such as that caused by a reduction of a Bodys budget. [NIO] (HL2582)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the memorandum from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland to the Members of the Inter-department Charter Group of 2nd June 2001 which referred to the use of minority languages applies to Ulster Scots as required in the Belfast Agreement; and, if not, why. [NIO] (HL2583)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government when the criteria for exemption for jury selection in Northern Ireland were last reviewed or reformed. [LCD] (HL2584)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government on an annual basis how many jurors are selected in Northern Ireland; and how many are actually sworn in and sit on a jury. [LCD] (HL2585)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the cost of building smoking chambers in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast; who took the decision to install the chambers; what consultations were held; and with whom. [NIO] (HL2586)

The Baroness HamweeTo ask Her Majestys Government, in view of the reported decision by W.S. Atkins plc to withdraw from a five-year private finance initiative contract with the London Borough of Southwark after only two years because the margins had failed to reach their expectations, what provisions there are in the public private partnership contracts for the London Underground to prevent a similar withdrawal in future, given that Atkins has a 20 per cent stake in the infraco Metronet, which is contracted to maintain and upgrade 70 per cent of the Underground network. [DfT] (HL2591)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the United Nations published its proposals for a settlement in Cyprus in the Turkish language. [FCO] (HL2592)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus; and, following the accession by Cyprus to membership of the European Union, whether each of these languages will be used officially by the European Union. [FCO] (HL2593)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government in what way would the rights of Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, under the Treaty of Guarantee for Cyprus, be changed as a result of the provisions in the United Nations Plan for a settlement in Cyprus. [FCO] (HL2594)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether citizens of member states of the European Union who are (a) visiting or (b) resident in Turkish Northern Cyprus will have unrestricted movement into Greek Southern Cyprus following the accession of the Republic of Cyprus as a member state of the European Union. [FCO] (HL2595)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether a site in Carryduff has been acquired for the proposed St Itas primary school; at what stage is the planning for this school; what is its proposed enrolment; whether funds have been allocated for the scheme; and when it is programmed to begin work on site. [NIO] (HL2596)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government what proposals there are to redevelop St Josephs primary school in Carryduff; at what stage is the planning; what is the proposed enrolment; whether funds have been allocated for this school project; and when it is programmed to begin work on site. [NIO] (HL2597)

The Lord Lamont of LerwickTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 28th April (HL2427), whether President Putin has ever raised any matters concerning Boris Berezovsky with the United Kingdom government. [FCO] (HL2598)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have undertaken any surveys among disabled people to ascertain their views on pre-natal screening programmes, eugenic abortion and pre-implementation genetic diagnosis. [DoH] (HL2599)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have information of fear, particularly among disabled and seriously ill people, about campaigns to legalise euthanasia. [DoH] (HL2600)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what advice they give for determining whether a person desiring suicide should be counselled to change their mind; and whether the persons disability or non-disability is considered as a factor for such a determination. [DoH] (HL2602)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to prevent the use of the internet to promote suicide. [DoH] (HL2603)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the statistically most likely condition for an abortion in the latest year for which figures are available in terms of

(a) the marital status of the woman;

(b) the age of the woman;

(c) the gestation of the pregnancy;

(d) the number of previous children born by the woman;

(e) the number of previous abortions undergone by the woman; and

(f) the legal grounds under which the abortion was performed. [DoH] (HL2604)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the number of abortions in the years 1966; 1968; 1969; 1970; 1980; 1990; and 2000. [DoH] (HL2605)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the number of

(a) reported incidences of child abuse; and

(b) convictions for child abuse

in the years 1966; 1968; 1969; 1970; 1980; 1990; and 2000. [DoH] (HL2606)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the number of morning-after pills prescribed, sold or supplied in the years 1990; 1995; 2000; and 2001. [DoH] (HL2607)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the number of

(a) reported incidences of unlawful sex with minors; and

(b) convictions for unlawful sex with minors

in the years 1990; 1995; 2000; and 2001. [DoH] (HL2608)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government how many late abortions were performed in each of the last ten years for which figures are available in pregnancies of

(a) 24 weeks;

(b) 25 weeks;

(c) 26 weeks;

(d) 27 weeks;

(e) 28 weeks;

(f) over 28 weeks; and

whether they will indicate the numbers and percentages of those abortions which were performed on legal grounds. [DoH] (HL2609)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will give a breakdown by regional health authority of the number of abortions performed in the latest two years for which figures are available in pregnancies of

(a) 24 weeks;

(b) 25 weeks;

(c) 26 weeks;

(d) 27 weeks;

(e) 28 weeks;

(f) over 28 weeks;

whether they will indicate the grounds upon which those abortions were performed; and, whether they will indicate where appropriate the nature of any possible handicap from which the baby might have been suffering. [DoH] (HL2610)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government what the latest available figures are for (i) the resident population and (ii) the total rateable value of non-residential properties in each of the following wards

Local Authority

Ward

Local Authority

Ward

Camden

Holborn

Leicester

Wycliffe

Kings Cross

Northampton

Castle

Regents Park

Derby

Babington

St. Pancras

Litchurch

Somers Town

Birmingham

Ladywood

Hammersmith & Fulham

White City & Shepherds Bush

Dudley

Brierley Hill

Hackney

Moorfields

Coventry

St Michaels

Islington

Bunhill

Wolverhampton

St Peters

Clerkenwell

Hull

Myton

Lambeth

Bishops

Leeds

City & Holbeck

Southwark

Cathedral

Sheffield

Castle

Dockyard

Darnall

Riverside

Stoke-on-Trent

Shelton

Tower Hamlets

Millwall

Darlington

Central

St Katherines

Newcastle-on-Tyne

West City

Portsmouth

Charles Dickens

Sunderland

Central

Southampton

Bargate

Liverpool

Abercromby

Bristol

Ashley

Manchester

Central

Cabot

Preston

Central

Plymouth

Sutton

Harlow

Hare St & Town Centre

Belfast

Shaftesbury

Ipswich

Town

Londonderry

The Diamond

Kings Lynn

Central

Norwich

Mancroft

Newport (Gwent)

Stow Hill

Peterborough

Central

Swansea

Castle

Thurrock

West Thurrock

[HMT] (HL2611)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government what were their estimates in calculating the annual cost to the Exchequer of the abolition of stamp duty on non-residential property purchases in disadvantaged areas, of

(a) the total current capital value of non-residential property in the 2000 disadvantaged areas;

(b) the proportion of this total value which will be bought and sold each year; and

(c) the proportion of the annual cost to the Exchequer represented by the abolition of stamp duty on purchases of existing non-residential properties, as opposed to development of new non-residential properties. [HMT] (HL2612)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government what the estimated cost to the Exchequer will be in the financial year 2004-05 of exempting the 2000 disadvantaged areas from stamp duty on the grant of new leases on non-residential property, at the rates proposed in the 2003 Budget. [HMT] (HL2613)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government why they used local authority wards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but postcodes in Scotland when selecting the 2000 disadvantaged areas for stamp duty exemption. [HMT] (HL2614)

29th April

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they intend to take following the research undertaken in Sweden, and published in the International Journal of Oncology, providing evidence of a link between mobile phone use and brain tumours. [DoH] (HL2620)

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government what representations they have received from the European Union in the last two years, with regard to the tendering process to supply the police force with radio communication equipment. [HO] (HL2621)

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government what advice the Home Office took and from whom about the health and safety aspects of the TETRA communications system; and what systems are used by the other countries in the European Union for emergency services communications. [HO] (HL2622)

The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the answer given by the Baroness Amos on 28th April (HL Deb, col. 445) regarding the cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan, whether they wish to make any correction to that answer; and what are the figures in hectares for such cultivation in the years 2001 and 2002 respectively. [DfID] (HL2623)

The Lord FearnTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are the legal and rightful owner of the Elgin Marbles. [DCMS] (HL2624)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the current status of the bid by the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital with the Royal Free Trust for new hospital development. [DoH] (HL2628)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the equality agenda in Northern Ireland; who drafted it; who agreed it; and where may it be located. [NIO] (HL2629)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government how many officials, of what rank, and at what cost, are employed in each department in Northern Ireland, and in the Northern Ireland Office, promoting equality. [NIO] (HL2630)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government who is responsible for assessing the impact of Northern Ireland civil service equality officers, and for balancing costs against measurable results. [NIO] (HL2631)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have reviewed the impact of Northern Ireland anti-discrimination and equality law since 1973; if so, on how many occasions; whether they have published the results of these reviews; and when they intend to review the impact of the Equality Commission established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [NIO] (HL2632)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government from which databases jurors are selected in Northern Ireland. [LCD] (HL2633)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what capital projects and track maintenance have taken place on the Northern Ireland Railway Companies line between Ballymena and Londonderry since 1st January 1997; and what new capital and maintenance work is proposed for this line in the next two years. [NIO] (HL2634)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are taking steps to reduce the number of abortions in the United Kingdom. [DoH] (HL2635)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, where a live childs head slips out of its mother during a partial-birth abortion, to continue with the abortion would be to commit infanticide. [DoH] (HL2636)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, where a child is born alive during an abortion, then to kill it or allow it to die would be to commit infanticide or murder. [DoH] (HL2637)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government which organisations in the field of reproductive health they fund; how much they gave in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and whether they will indicate whether each takes (a) a pro-life position; or (b) a pro-abortion position on abortion related issues. [DoH] (HL2638)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they believe that the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 regulates a medical procedure. [DoH] (HL2639)

The Lord ActonTo ask Her Majestys Government how many

(a) men; and

(b) women

committed suicide while in prison in England and Wales in (i) each of the last five years; and (ii) the current year to date. [HO] (HL2640)

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government why coalition forces failed to protect the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad against looting despite the earlier warning given to the United States Defense Department by Professor McGuire Gibson of the University of Chicago in a meeting with officials on 24th January, and to the Prime Minister by officers of the All Party Parliamentary Group in a letter dated 11th February. [FCO] (HL2641)

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will veto any motion at the United Nations Security Council to lift the current regime of international sanctions prohibiting trade with Iraq until new international sanctions have been agreed and implemented to make illegal the export of antiquities and other cultural properties from Iraq to any country and also to make illegal in any country the import, export, ownership, sale or transfer of ownership of any antiquities or cultural property of possible Iraqi origin which cannot be documented as already being outside Iraq prior to the Gulf War of 1991 and the original imposition of sanctions. [FCO] (HL2642)

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they can undertake under present United Nations sanctions to prevent the sale of Iraqi antiquities through the internet; what steps they are undertaking to monitor such sales; and whether such sales are being undertaken by dealers based in the United Kingdom or through internet servers located in the United Kingdom. [FCO] (HL2643)

30th April

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they have taken during the past two months to prevent or deter the export or international trade in antiques looted in Iraq. [FCO] (HL2649)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider that communications via the electronic and print media constitute a market for the purpose of the application of European Union and United Kingdom competition rules. [DTI] (HL2650)

The Lord KilclooneyTo ask Her Majestys Government what proposals there are to provide direct financial aid to the fishing vessels in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2651)

The Lord HoyleTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 28th April (WA 68), whether the Italian Government has declared publicly the nature of their involvement or contribution to the allied coalition in Iraq. [FCO] (HL2652)

The Lord RoganTo ask Her Majestys Government how many MOT certificates have been issued in the last five years by each of the MOT test centres in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2653)

The Lord RoganTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the average waiting time for applications to be processed in each of the MOT test centres in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2654)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government how many of the 300 sites in Iraq, provisionally identified by the United States Department of Defense as likely to hold weapons of mass destruction and how many of the further 700 sites identified by the United States State Department have so far been examined by Allied forces; whether any sites, not previously identified, have been discovered and examined; and how many of these are within the area of operations of the British forces. [MoD] (HL2655)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the current staff levels of Defence Medical Services personnel in the Ministry of Defence Health Units, in comparison with the Ministry of Defences establishment. [MoD] (HL2656)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government when the Successor Identification Friend or Foe system will be available for installation in ground attack aircraft, and what progress has been made in the Identification Friend or Foe system for armoured vehicles. [MoD] (HL2657)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in view of the recent use of C-17 sorties, they will change over the Tornado F3 airframes in the Falkland Islands; and whether the A400M will be capable of undertaking similar missions carrying the Tornado or its replacement. [MoD] (HL2659)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government who provided the funding for the range of smoking chambers which the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, has decided to build; and why the hospital has not banned smoking in common with other hospitals in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2660)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government who set the proportionality funding between Her Majestys Government and the Government of the Irish Republic for the Cross Border Implementation Service; and on what basis. [NIO] (HL2661)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government which proportions of the funding between Her Majestys Government and the Government of the Irish Republic for the Cross Border Implementation Service have been altered over the last four years; how and why; who took these decisions; and on what basis. [NIO] (HL2662)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 29th April (WA 90), what are the detailed costs of Waterways Ireland for 2001 and 2002; and how much was spent in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2663)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether there is a target timescale for the answering of written parliamentary questions in the House of Lords by the Northern Ireland Office; if so, what it is; how many have exceeded the target since 1st January 2002; and why. [NIO] (HL2664)

The Baroness Howe of IdlicoteTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the target time within which OFSTED should complete the registration process for potential childminders; how many such applications OFSTED have received throughout the United Kingdom since it took over responsibility for the registration of childminders in September 2001; and how many of these were completed within the target time. [DfES] (HL2665)

The Baroness Howe of IdlicoteTo ask Her Majestys Government, in respect of applications for registration of childminders by OFSTED in the United Kingdom completed outside its target time, how many were delayed by three, six, nine and twelve months; and what were the principal reasons for such delays. [DfES] (HL2666)

The Baroness Howe of IdlicoteTo ask Her Majestys Government how many applications for the registration of potential childminders OFSTED have received from the London Borough of Southwark since September 2001; and how many of these were completed within the target time. [DfES] (HL2667)

The Baroness Howe of IdlicoteTo ask Her Majestys Government, in respect of those applications for registration of potential childminders by OFSTED in Southwark completed outside its target time, how many were delayed by three, six, nine and twelve months; and what were the principal reasons for such delays. [DfES] (HL2668)

The Baroness Howe of IdlicoteTo ask Her Majestys Government how many applications OFSTED have received from Southwarks postcode area SE17 since September 2001; and how many of these were completed within the target time. [DfES] (HL2669)

The Baroness Howe of IdlicoteTo ask Her Majestys Government, in respect of those applications OFSTED received from Southwarks postcode area SE17 since September 2001 completed outside its target time, how many were delayed by three, six, nine and twelve months; and what were the principal reasons for such delay. [DfES] (HL2670)

1st May

The Lord Clarke of HampsteadTo ask Her Majestys Government when the Attorney Generals consultation paper on Pre-Trial Witness Interviews by Prosecutors is to be published. [LSLO] (HL2673)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government whether acceptance trials of the Mark 2 Hostile Artillery Location system (HALO) have been completed. [MoD] (HL2674)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government when the installation of the Mark 2 Hostile Artillery Location system (HALO) will begin; and when the process of installation is expected to be completed. [MoD] (HL2675)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the anticipated in-service life of the Mark 2 Hostile Artillery Location system (HALO); and how will the cost of this equipment be calculated taking into account annual depreciation and carrying cost. [MoD] (HL2676)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will arrange for all United Kingdom Embassy websites to highlight the coming into force on 30th April 2003 of certain sections, particularly 13, of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. [FCO] (HL2677)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government how many women were invited by Mr Jay Garner to the meeting held in Baghdad on 28th April to plan the future of Iraq; and whether they will propose to Mr Garner that further meetings on the proposed interim authority or on reconstruction should consist of equal numbers of men and women. [FCO] (HL2678)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4th April (WA 157), why the undertaking to place in the Library of the House the proposed actions on the implementation of section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 for the establishment of a central register of those who have applied for or been granted a shotgun or firearms licence and the details of the high level award criteria, has still not been met; and when they expect to do so. [HO] (HL2679)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will indicate in respect of each of the police forces in the United Kingdom, the method currently used to record details of individuals holding a shotgun or firearms certificate; and what, if any, action has been taken by the police forces concerned to implement the requirement of section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 for the establishment of a central register of individuals who have applied for, or been granted, a shotgun or firearm certificate. [HO] (HL2680)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will list the companies which have been invited to tender for the national firearms management system required by section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; the date on which the tender was issued; and the date by which the response is required. [HO] (HL2681)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government what representation they have made to the Nigerian Government with regard to the case of Amina Lawal, the mother condemned to be stoned to death for adultery by the Nigerian Supreme Court. [FCO] (HL2682)

The Lord BradshawTo ask Her Majestys Government how many offences were prosecuted in the last year for which figures are available for driving on a prohibited road. [HO] (HL2683)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what priority they will give to the war on world poverty at the forthcoming G8 meeting in Evian, France, from 1st to 3rd June, with particular reference to

(a) fair trade and the elimination of the dumping of subsidised goods in Africa and other parts of the developing world;

(b) debt cancellation in fulfillment of the commitments made at the last G8 meeting; and

(c) the honouring of all existing undertakings on aid, including education. [DfID] (HL2684)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what estimates have been made of the cost of providing an effective penal system in a rehabilitated Iraq; and what measures they are advocating to ensure the generation of the necessary resources and qualified personnel. [DfID] (HL2685)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what estimates have been made of the cost of providing an effective system for the administration of justice in a rehabilitated Iraq; and what measures they are advocating to ensure the generation of the necessary resources and qualified personnel. [DfID] (HL2686)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what estimates have been made of the cost of providing an effective civil police system in a rehabilitated Iraq; and what measures they are advocating to ensure the generation of the necessary resources and qualified personnel. [DfID] (HL2687)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what is now the policy towards multilateral action on arms control and disarmament with particular reference to nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; and what commitments on behalf of the United Kingdom remain central to their policy in each of those spheres. [DfID] (HL2688)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will make any representations to the government of Nigeria concerning the reports of the decision to uphold the death sentence for Amina Lawal, condemned for the crime of adultery on 19th August 2002, to be buried up to her neck and stoned to death on 3rd June. [FCO] (HL2689)

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the recent statement made by the spokesman for Al Muhajiroun in which he supported the destruction of the World Trade Centre in New York and the attacks on the British soldiers and the police in the United Kingdom in the name of Jihad. [FCO] (HL2690)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government how many late payments are outstanding from the Rural Payments Agency; and whether they will list the number of late payments or failures to pay per month over the last nine months. [DEFRA] (HL2691)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have made generally known the need for people affected by section 68 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 with regard to vehicular access across common land to apply by 4th July 2003 for a statutory easement under S.I. 2002/1711; and, if so, how this has been communicated. [DEFRA] (HL2692)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government how people affected by S.I. 2002/1711 (vehicular access across common land) will be able to apply for an easement when the owner of that common land is unknown. [DEFRA] (HL2693)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government how many cattle have been slaughtered over the past five years as part of the campaign against tuberculosis. [DEFRA] (HL2694)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what arrangements they have in place for the collection and disposal of (a) infected badger carcasses, and (b) wild animals killed on roads. [DEFRA] (HL2695)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what advice they have given to local authorities with regard to the disposal of fallen stock following the burial ban coming into force on 1st May. [DEFRA] (HL2696)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government what future they plan for the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Benefits Agency on the assumption that the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill passes into law. [DWP] (HL2697)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government how many National Health Service patients were awaiting (a) cardiac surgery, and (b) angiograms on the latest date for which figures are available. [DoH] (HL2698)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government how many National Health Service patients have been treated overseas during each month following the Department of Health press release dated 6th March 2002 (reference 2002/0118). [DoH] (HL2699)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government what account they have taken of recently published research conducted by Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, which found that exposure to bisphenol, a component of plastic bottles, could be linked to chromosomal abnormalities in unborn children and to miscarriages. [DoH] (HL2700)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what percentage of pensioners lack a full contribution record; and what percentage of those lacking such a record are in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee. [DWP] (HL2701)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the breakdown of Incapacity Benefit by region. [DWP] (HL2702)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they accept the finding of the Acheson Report that reductions in mortality have not been matched by any corresponding reductions in morbidity. [DoH] (HL2703)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government how many local government wards have a rate of adult male unemployment above 10 per cent; and what is the breakdown of those wards by region. [HMT] (HL2704)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what percentage of university entrants were from social groups C2, D and E

(a) in 2002;

(b) in 1992;

(c) in 1982; and

(d) in 1972. [DfES] (HL2705)

The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the number of prisoners, broken down by ethnic group, who obtain employment within a year of release. [HO] (HL2706)

The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the number of people between age 50 and retirement age, broken down by gender, who are not employed and who have been exempted from the actively seeking work rules. [DWP] (HL2707)

The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the number of people subject to benefit sanction in whole or in part. [DWP] (HL2708)

The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the percentage of tuberculosis sufferers who at the time of diagnosis were homeless, disentitled to benefit, or both. [DoH] (HL2709)

The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the difference in the rate of offending among those in receipt of full social security benefits and those subject to benefit sanctions. [HO] (HL2710)

The Lord ReaTo ask Her Majestys Government how many telephone taps or interceptions have been authorised under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; and who authorises such telephone interceptions. [HO] (HL2711)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Andrews on 30th April (WA 112), whether the reviews of all evidence regarding sexual abstinence education included those published in the United States since 1996. [DoH] (HL2712)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 30th April (WA 101) concerning the ability of Northern Ireland Departments to move money from one financial year to another as underspend, whether this applies to Cross Border Bodies and to other government organisations; and, if not in either case, why. [NIO] (HL2713)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 30th April (WA 101) concerning Cross Border Implementation Bodies, who approved the remuneration package of the Chief Executive of the Special European Union Programmes body and when; on what basis it was calculated; and how it relates to the remuneration package of the chief executives of other Cross Border Bodies. [NIO] (HL2714)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 30th April (WA 102), what are the details of the professional fees of £173,000 for Waterways Ireland; who were the consultants in receipt of these fees; how they were appointed; for what tasks; and how much did each task cost. [NIO] (HL2715)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 30th April (WA 102) concerning set up costs for Cross Border Bodies, what are the details of the furnishing and fittings costs for the Special European Union Programmes. [NIO] (HL2716)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal (WA 103) concerning set up costs for the North South Ministerial Council, what are the details of the £7,257 spent on carpets and the £13,271 spent on other items. [NIO] (HL2717)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 30th April (WA 102) concerning the underspend of Northern Ireland Departments moved from 2001, 2002 and 2003, what, in each case, was the underspend spent on. [NIO] (HL2718)

6th May

The Baroness GreengrossTo ask Her Majestys Government in which of (a) the 10 European Union accession countries; and (b) the 13 other possible European Union member countries, the United Kingdom state pension is not currently uprated; and how many people in receipt of a United Kingdom state pension live in each country. [DWP] (HL2721)

The Baroness GreengrossTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their latest estimate of the percentage and number of people in receipt of a United Kingdom state pension who live outside the United Kingdom whose state pension is

(a) uprated; and

(b) not uprated. [DWP] (HL2722)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government on what occasions they have raised with the Chinese Government the case for a dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama; and what response they have had. [FCO] (HL2723)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government what subjects they intend to raise with the Chinese representatives at the forthcoming United Kingdom-China human rights dialogue; and whether they will ask how the recommendations made by the United Nations Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance in the report on his 1994 visit to China have been implemented. [FCO] (HL2724)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the European Convention on Human Rights has been incorporated into the domestic legislation of each of the Crown Dependencies; and, if not, when such incorporation will take place. [LCD] (HL2725)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 1st May (WA 120), whether they consider that legislation is necessary to give effect to decisions of the European Court of Human Rights where a breach by the United Kingdom of the European Convention on Human Rights relates not to a provision of incompatible domestic legislation but to an incompatible rule of common law. [LCD] (HL2726)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 28th April (WA 65), when and in what circumstances the Manual of Military Law, contributed to in relation to international humanitarian law by Sir Hersch Lauterpacht and Colonel Gerald Draper, ceased to be published and issued to members of the armed forces, and what written guidance is now published and issued in its place. [MoD] (HL2727)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will request the United States Government either to determine by legal process whether British citizens detained at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo are guilty of terrorist acts or to release them to Her Majestys Government. [FCO] (HL2728)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will make representations to the Israeli Government in relation to the recent study, undertaken by international aid donors under the auspices of the World Bank, about the adverse effects of the security walls being constructed on the West Bank upon the Palestinian economy and the human rights and freedoms of Palestinians. [FCO] (HL2729)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal and the Lord Bach on 9th April (WA 26 and WA 40-41), whether their proposal to introduce an across the board balance of probabilities standard of proof in armed forces compensation arrangements will decrease the number of awards made under those arrangements; and, if so, whether unsuccessful claimants will be forced to apply for assistance through the civil benefits system. [MoD] (HL2730)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9th April (WA 40-41), whether people who have served in the armed forces should continue to receive the benefit of the reasonable doubt standard of proof, which permits claimants to receive assistance while research is carried out into the cause of any apparent new medical condition. [MoD] (HL2731)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 10th April (HL Deb, cols. 381-2), whether they have received any information since that date about the fate of more than 600 Kuwaiti prisoners taken by the Iraqis in the first Gulf War. [FCO] (HL2732)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what amount of European Union Aid Funds is at present not allocated; over what period it will be used; and what is the likely split between continents and between sectors, such as health, education and debt relief. [DfID] (HL2733)

The Baroness WalmsleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether disinfecting equipment is made available to prisoners who use drugs intravenously; if so under which Prison Service Order such provision is made; and how frequently prisoners are provided with such equipment. [HO] (HL2734)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning the budgets for the North/South Implementation bodies

(a) whether in each case there were discussions with the Boards before the budgets were decided;

(b) if so, when and what was agreed;

(c) on what authority any changes were then made to each budget; and

(d) which, if any, political advisers were involved and what advice did they offer to the Ministers concerned. [NIO] (HL2735)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is meant in the joint statement issued in conjunction with the Irish government on 18th December 2002 by care and maintenance in relation to cross border bodies. [NIO] (HL2736)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the legal status of the financial memorandum entitled The North/South Language BodyFinancial Memorandum which was supplied to that body on its creation. [NIO] (HL2737)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government on what date consultations took place with the Northern Ireland political parties before the exchange of letters with the Irish government of 19th November 2002, which replaced the North/South Ministerial Council arrangements. [NIO] (HL2738)

The Lord RotherwickTo ask Her Majestys Government what further measures, beyond consultation with the Magistrates Association, they are taking to tackle the conviction rates for those caught smuggling illegal meats into the United Kingdom. [HMT] (HL2739)

The Lord RotherwickTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will consider collecting centrally information on the number of convictions made each year for the smuggling of illegal meat. [HMT] (HL2740)

The Lord RotherwickTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the measures they are taking to combat illegal meat imports will deter potential smugglers, particularly when only a small number of those that are caught are prosecuted. [HMT] (HL2741)

The Lord ActonTo ask Her Majestys Government how many prisoners committed suicide in Styal womens prison in each year from 1993 to the present date. [HO] (HL2742)

7th May

The Baroness BillinghamTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they are putting in place to identify and investigate possible post-military conflict health effects. (HL2744)

The Baroness WilkinsTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will publish the Code of Guidance entitled Sites of Specific Scientific Interest: Encouraging Positive Partnerships. (HL2745)

The Lord GregsonTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will launch the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices Global Opportunities Fund. (HL2746)

The Lord LamingTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the new contract for general practitioners refers to general practitioners responsibilities for child protection; and, if not, why not. (HL2747)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what response has been received by the Minister for the Environment, Michael Meacher, to his letter to the Chairman of the Food Standards Agency, Sir John Krebs, concerning the environmental benefits of organic farming; if no reply has yet been received, when one is expected; and whether they will place a copy in the Libraries of both Houses. (HL2748)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to

(a) the call by the British Medical Association in Scotland for trials of genetically modified crops to be stopped immediately to safeguard public health; and

(b) the move by Devon and Lancashire County Councils and three other local authorities to restrict genetically modified foods and crops. (HL2749)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have detected any shortcomings in the quantity and effectiveness of humanitarian relief to Iraq; what action they are taking to put right any such shortcomings; and what they are doing to ensure that the occupying powers are fulfilling their humanitarian obligations. (HL2750)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to ensure that any new United Nations resolution on Iraq ensures the return of Dr Blix and United Nations inspectors to play a full part in the location, destruction and eradication of manufacturing potential of and for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. (HL2751)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the latest estimates to date of the number of

(a) civilians killed;

(b) civilians wounded;

(c) Iraqi service people killed;

(d) Iraqi service people wounded;

(e) coalition service people killed; and

(f) coalition service people wounded

as a result of military action since the beginning of the most recent war in Iraq. (HL2752)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the latest estimates of the financial cost to the United Kingdom of the most recent war in Iraq; and what are the latest estimates of the financial resources so far specifically earmarked by the United Kingdom for humanitarian relief, reconstruction and political rehabilitation of Iraq. (HL2753)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they accept the methodology employed by the World Bank to calculate how many of the worlds people are living below the poverty line; what independent studies they have made of the advantages and disadvantages of (a) the sick and (b) the poor in developing countries where neo liberal policies including privatisation, deregulation and reductions in social spending are being given priority; and what was the conclusion of any such studies. (HL2754)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what has been the proportion of the European Unions aid budget spent on the worlds poorest countries in each of the last ten years; and what action they are taking to ensure that the eradication of poverty is given the highest priority by the European Union. (HL2755)

The Earl of Mar and KellieTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will ensure that the railway line between Lisburn and Antrim will be maintained after the withdrawal of passenger services so that it will be available for a possible circular service in the future. (HL2756)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what directions they have given the Environment Agency regarding the discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2757)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government when was the most recent discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2758)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is still their intention to impose a moratorium on the discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2759)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government how they intend to respond to the letter of 1st April from the Norwegian Minister of the Environment regarding the discharge of technetium-99 into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. (HL2760)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the significance of the difference between the definition of adopter in the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2822) and that in the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Administration) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2820). (HL2761)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why, given that any increases under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) (No 2) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2927) are only supposed to reflect increases in the index, the proposed increases vary between 1.7 per cent and 4 per cent. (HL2762)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why they introduced the variety of changes in fees payable under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/547). (HL2763)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why the intent specified in paragraph 2 (13) of the Patents Act 1977 (Electronic Communications) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/512) does not also apply in paragraph 2 (6). (HL2764)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government which organisation set the safety limit for thiomersal laid down in the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/835). (HL2765)

The Lord Hodgson of Astley AbbotsTo ask Her Majestys Government why in the Electricity (Approval of Pattern on Construction and Installation and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2139) the sum charged by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority for meter examiners is under £45 an hour while that for inspectors is £110 an hour. (HL2766)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th April (HL2098) concerning budgets for Cross Border Implementation Bodies, why are sterling pounds referred to as GBPs and not UKPs. (HL2767)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 2nd April (WA 132) concerning Cross Border Implementation Bodies, on what date the budget for 2003 was agreed between the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and its counterpart in the Republic of Irelands government; on what date the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure was informed; when the cut was announced; in what form was the announcement; and in what way did it observe the policy of transparency. (HL2768)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the approved minutes of the Ulster Scots Agency, part of the Language Implementation Body, are received by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; and, if so, for what purpose they are used. (HL2769)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made in the provision of pensions for staff of the Cross Border Implementation Bodies. (HL2770)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government who are the political advisers to the North South Ministerial Council. (HL2771)

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government how many life support ventilators are currently available for operation in each of the private and public sectors; how many trained staff are estimated to be available to operate them; what estimated percentage of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome sufferers need to be put on ventilators; and how many beds are estimated to exist in United Kingdom hospitals which would be suitable for patients with SARS where suitable isolation could be provided. (HL2772)

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, since ten out of the 17 Questions for Written Answer which have failed to receive an answer after three weeks fall to be answered by the Northern Ireland Office, Ministers in that Department will arrange special training for the officials concerned at the Civil Service College; and whether parliamentary guidelines that answers are expected to be given within two weeks will be respected in future. (HL2773)

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 24th September 2002 (WA 191), why no letter has been received by either Lord Jopling or the Library of the House; when that answer will be provided; and whether the Ministry of Defence still adheres to the guidelines that all Questions for Written Answer should be dealt with within two weeks. (HL2774)

BILLS IN PROGRESS

[The date in square brackets is the date for which the bill is set down]

Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Arab Republic of Egypt) Order 2003

Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Members States and the Republic of Chile) Order 2003

Draft Broadcasting (Independent Productions) (Amendment) Order 2003

REGULATORY REFORM ORDERS IN PROGRESS

Reported following first-stage scrutiny by the Regulatory Reform Committee